Deep Litter attempt

[rparcheta]

This year in our newest large coop and run, I have created the deep litter method. Pine, untreated wood mulch, dirt, and sand. All nice and wonderful until the two Pekin Ducks grew bigger and their smell of urine is overwhelming. We have 12 hens, 2 roosters, and 2 Pekin Ducks. All except one are new this spring. The run is not so overwhelming as the inside of the new coop. I was so excited to maybe have the same bedding all winter and change it in the spring. There is two windows for ventilation in the coop but winter in Minnesota is coming the they must be shut. Any ideas?

 

[Kayla's Lunch]

You will need ventilation no matter where you live. What are the dimensions of your set up? How many inches of litter do you have? I only have chickens (14). My coop is 12' x 4' and the covered run is 12' x 12'. I have probably 8-12 inches in the run that I have built up since June 2018 when I first got the chickens. I use pine shavings in the coop, around 10". If the run gets too dry, I spray it with a hose so it's a little moist. The coop shavings need to be dry.

 

[stavo]

I'm not an expert as I've only been using the deep litter method for about a year, and I don't have ducks, but how often are you adding to it? I've found that if I don't add something (grass clippings, pine shavings, a wheelbarrow full of leaves) at least weekly, the smell starts getting strong. And I make sure when I do add, I include scratch or meal worm so that the hens help mix it all in.

 

[pintail_drake2004]

I have 25 hens and 2 roosters and a pair of Pekins in my 12x8 coop right now. I do the deep litter in in the coop. I have a concrete floor that I add 5 bags of pine shavings first then every week I add a couple loads of grass clippings, or hay. I change it out 2x a year, and my coop never smells bad.

 

[sorce]

I haven't read too much about the litter used, but if anyone is successful with mulch and dirt, it may be in a more arid climate.

Here, Mulch will grab wet from the air and hold it. I never seen a piece of mulch dry all the way thru. Mulch is made to hold water and keep ground hydrated.

I would try only shavings, as they are thin so they dry fast, and don't compact beyond what the chicks can scratch loose again.

I bag all the exposed poop and what's easily found, then just add more where they sleep.

Of course, I do have a small coop and only 2 chicks.

Simple simple.

Too...
Sounds like you may have gathered some backward info about winter, well, depending on what kind of chicks you have I guess.
But closed up with mulch like that is sounding like a recipe for frostbite and respiratory infection.

Share some info...
Winter is near!
These great folks here will get you right!

Sorce